Wow! 5 months out of the shoot and we are having a blast (planted Epiphany Fellowship in September ’06). We feel like we are in a support group with Bobby Brown. We have High, highs and Low, lows. Planting in our particular context has made us bi-polar. Our emotions are sometimes like rubber bands. So one of the things we have been developing as a congregation are buzz/slang words that reflect a more comprehensive picture of redemption of our community from the inside.

In Proverbs 3:5-6 and Ezekiel 36:25-27, generally the word heart is used to describe euphemistically, where the redemptive process begins. Heart, in these passages, defined further represents the mind, the emotions, and the will (BDB, HALOT). In the Ezekiel 36:25-27 passage, we find that under the New Covenant redemption begins with the mind (which can be equivalent to our values), emotion (which could also be said “passions”) and the will (or another way for us to say it is volitional application).

We seek to have Christ infiltrate our values with His word and to see our passions aligned with His truth. This will hopefully lead to appropriate application of His word in our everyday life. As we have begun to embrace this concept it has been dope (that means great, not drugs, lol). With this discovery we want to be comprehensive worshippers. By living out our identity as worshippers (told to us by Jesus in John 4) we look for redemption on every level. This makes for a rich worship experience! Also, it challenges us to be engaged by the gospel on every level. Moreover, our bipolar support group is learning how to gospelize our emotional fits, melancholy attitudes, and meandering practices.

For instance, we grill one another in the area of passion that responds to a properly adopted kingdom value system. Passions that reflect desires submitted to Christ, especially in the area of worship. Although worship is an identity of God’s born again new community, the passion of a life lived in worship to God should show itself up in our community expressiveness. Theologically and doctrinally driven communities tend to be less outwardly expressive in their worship experience. Many will say, “well that’s not how I’m wired”. However, the biblical picture of passion in the Old and new Testament, displays worship as comprehensive yet outwardly expressive. The one who is forgiven for much is thankful for much (responds publicly to redemption through worship, Luke 7:40-50). Therefore, we are exhorting our particular community of faith to have a rowdiness that is driven by a new adopted value system that contains the nutrients of Christ in His person and work. Worshipping that “which we know” (John 4:22, 17:3).

As you read this we are currently working on a buzz word booklet. So I would love to here your thoughts…